Declaration of Independence

___ Explain the events and conflicts leading up to the development of the Declaration of

Independence

• ___ Bunker Hill

• ___ Boston

• ___ Common Sense

• ___ Ticonderoga

• ___ Olive Branch Petition

George Washington

• Continental Army was created- made from all colonies and not just New England

• Washington was a unanimously selected it’s leader. (Attempt to get the southern colonies to support the war)

Bunker Hill• 300 Militiamen

near Boston fortified Bunker and Breed’s hill.

• 2000 British troops march on the fort, on the third attempt the British take the hill

• More than a thousand British are killed or wounded

Ticonderoga

• Washington sends troops to seize cannons from old British fort

• 59 cannons and 2,300 lbs. of lead were dragged on sleds to Boston

Siege of Boston

• George Washington places cannons on hills over looking Boston Harbor

• To avoid another Bunker Hill 9,000 British troops and ships leave to Canada

Olive Branch Petition

• Congress sent a petition to King George asking to end the quarrel

• King George respond by calling them “Traitors”

Common Sense

• Thomas Paine writes a pamphlet explaining the reasons why America should be independent.

• Thousands of colonists change their view towards independence

Jefferson drafts a Declaration

• Congress forms a committee to write a formal declaration of independence

• He had to explain to the world why the colonies have chosen to separate

Enlightenment ideas

• John Locke’s influences

• That all men have Natural Rights, which are Life, Liberty, and Property

• Purpose of government was to protect these rights. 

• If government did not protect these rights, and became abusive, then the people had a right to revolution. 

We hold these truths to be self evident,

• That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Enlightenment in the Declaration of Independence

• “All men are created equal”• “Unalienable rights – life, liberty, and pursuit of

happiness”• Governments are formed “to secure these rights”• Government power comes “consent of the

governed”• If government fails then “abolish it”• Create a government that will protect “their

safety and happiness”